Chidambaram visits homes being built for Kashmiri migrants

Jammu, Nov 4 : Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday visited a satellite township in Jammu being constructed for Kashmiri Pandit migrants and asked officials to get the township ready at the earliest.

After his arrival here on a day's visit, Chidambaram visited Jagti, a township which will house about 2,000 migrant families. He was accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and Revenue and Relief Minister Raman Bhalla.

"We must fulfil our commitment toward them (migrants)," the home minister told officials.

Chidambaram is to also review the security situation in the state, following the killing of policemen on the streets and the mounting presence of militants in the hilly areas and fresh infiltration bids.

This is the home minister's second visit to the state in less than a month. His visit comes in the backdrop of raging anger over his ministry's decision to ban pre-paid mobile connections, affecting 3.8 million subscribers in the state.

The pre-paid connections are not being renewed from Nov 1, nor are new connections being given. The home ministry has cited security reasons for the move.

Political leaders in the state have criticised the ban.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has claimed the "ban on pre-paid is temporary". He has assured the people that it would be lifted soon.

He has already spoken to Chidambaram, who is to also attend the wedding of state Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda's daughter before returning to Delhi Wednesday evening.

--IANS